Boy, 13, who allegedly tried to kill Coles worker was living in care home, has ‘complex needs’

The family of a Coles worker allegedly stabbed by a 13-year-old boy have released a statement expressing relief that she is still alive, despite facing a long road to recovery.

The 13-year-old boy was taken into custody and has been charged with attempt to murder. Photo Supplied

The family of a supermarket worker who was allegedly stabbed by a boy on Monday have expressed their relief she is still alive, saying the incident has left them in a state of shock.

Relatives of Claudia Campomayor Watt released a statement through police on Thursday.

“On Monday afternoon January 13, our family received the devastating news that Claudia had (allegedly) received life threatening injuries after being attacked with a knife while at work.

“The incident has left us is a state of shock and we remain in the process of trying to come to terms with what has happened.

“At this time, we can confirm that she is out of ICU and off sedation, and we have been able to speak with her.

“We would also like to take the opportunity now to publicly acknowledge the support that we have received and thank all those involved who helped to save her life.

“To the first responders on scene that provided crucial medical attention, we thank you.

“To the specialists, doctors, nurses and their team who have continued to provide expert medical care we are extremely grateful.

“We would also like to acknowledge and thank those members of the public who acted quickly to assist in the apprehension of the offender.

“To the wider community who have sent well wishes, prayers and support, thank you. All these things make a difference.

The victim was revealed to be Claudia Campomayor.

“We still have a long journey ahead of us but thankfully Claudia is now on the road to recovery.

“We appreciate that this has significant media interest, but we are requesting that you respect our privacy as we continue to come to terms with what has happened and give Claudia the time and space she needs to make a full recovery from this traumatic event.

Her family yesterday told 7News she was recovering well despite having a knife plunged through her torso.

“It was a miracle she survived through the ordeal,” the family said.

“I have no doubt that God is watching over her.”

It’s been revealed the teenage boy charged over the attempted murder was living in a care home while having “complex needs”.

The boy’s troubling history emerged as supermarket giant Coles pulled knives off shelves in every store across Australia after he allegedly stabbed Ms Campomayor Watt in the back using a knife he had grabbed inside a store.

The alleged victim was Claudia Campomayor from the Coles Yamanto stabbing incident.

The Courier-Mail has been told the 13-year-old boy was living in the suburbs of Ipswich.

Police will allege the boy took a knife off the shelf of Coles at Yamanto Central Shopping on Monday before stabbing Ms Campomayor Watt, working as a duty manager, in the back while she was stacking shelves.

The 63-year-old mother-of-two’s condition has improved overnight, and she remains in Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition.

The boy was living in a care home in Ripley, where it’s understood he had a carer. He was also under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

People familiar with his situation say the boy has “complex needs”, requiring help with more than one issue.

Police said the boy may have been walking along the Cunningham Highway between Ripley and the Yamanto exit prior to the incident.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly stabbing a female Coles supermarket worker in Queensland on Monday, leaving her in serious condition. Picture 7News

The boy, who was chased down by members of the public and security after the stabbing, has been charged with attempted murder and faced Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday morning where he did not apply for bail.

Detective Inspector Michael Manago said police would allege the attack was random and that the child acted alone.

Ms Campomayor Watt was stabbed so severely in the back that the blade of the knife came through the front of her abdomen.

Coles supermarkets across Australia withdrew all knives off the shelves on Wednesday, sparking renewed calls for knives to be locked away. Knives were removed from the Yamanto store on Tuesday following the stabbing.

“Coles complies with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives, and this withdrawal is being taken out of an abundance of caution as we conduct a review,” a spokesman said.

Coles worker Claudia Campomayor Watt was allegedly stabbed in the back by a 13-year-old boy. Picture: 9 News

“The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority across all aspects of our business.”

Ipswich shopper Lee McCann told 9News he had a conversation with the boy before his arrest.

“I heard a scream and saw the boy run straight past me,” he said.

“I chased after him to see if I could hunt him down.

“I questioned people along the way, and then I was told that he actually entered Kmart.

“That’s when they located him at the self service check out. He was just sitting there.”

Mr McCann said the boy was “fairly calm”.

Mr McCann marched the boy back to Coles and saw Ms Campomayor Watt was on the floor with a knife in her back when she was “in and out of consciousness” at the time.

In September last year, the Labor government introduced new laws which banned the sale of knives to minors and required retailers to securely store particular types of knives, but not all.

Items such as knives are categorised as controlled with locked storage optional, while others such as daggers, swords and machetes are deemed controlled-secured and require mandatory locked storage.

Police presence at Yamanto Central shopping centre. Picture: Liam Kidston

Brett Beasley, the father of Jack Beasley, who was stabbed to death on the Gold Coast in late 2019, said knives shouldn’t be on the shelves.

“A knife is a knife as far as I’m concerned. A steak knife will kill you just as much as a bloody double weapon,” Mr Beasley said.

“Kids can’t go in and buy a packet of cigarettes because they’re all locked away in cabinets.

“I believe that they all should be locked away in cabinets.”

Shopping Centre Council of Australia chief executive Angus Nardi said it would support further measures to limit access to dangerous knives and weapons and reduce incidences of knife and other crime.

“Crime in retail settings is a critical issue, and one that requires an ongoing review and response in partnership with the Queensland Government and Police,” he said.

“The core problem is people bringing dangerous knives and weapons to our shopping centres, and in certain cases with the possible intent to use those weapons to cause harm including to threaten, intimidate or assault people.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly stabbing a female Coles supermarket worker in Queensland on Monday. Picture 7News

“Our experience tells us that the problem is getting worse, including the level of violence, the use of weapons and repeat offenders.

Despite Coles’ latest move, Woolworths has ruled out removing knives from its supermarket shelves, saying its knives were stored in “high-grade, clamshell packaging”.

In 2021, a man stole a carving knife from a Woolworths in Melbourne and stabbed two people, prompting Woolworths to remove all knives from all shelves while they conducted a review. In Queensland more than 60 stores still do not sell any kitchen knives.

Police are urging people to come forward if they saw the boy walking along the Cunningham Highway between Ripley and the Yamanto exit between 1pm and 2.30pm on the day of the incident.